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Franklin County commissioners reject tax break to lure Nordstrom

By BECKY METRICK@BeckyMetrickPO

Updated:
10/10/2013 10:08:40 PM EDT

CHAMBERSBURG - Thursday's special Franklin County commissioners' meeting was short and to the point, as none of the commissioners had changed their position on the proposed tax break that was expected to help lure a Nordstrom warehouse to Antrim Township.

All three commissioners reaffirmed their opinions that the LERTA zone exemption was not necessary, and no real discussion was conducted.

Developers asked the commissioners to consider participating in offering tax abatement to Nordstrom, as Antrim Township is on the short list of possible sites for an e-fulfillment center. It was expected to bring 700 full-time jobs with a possibility of as many as 1,800 seasonal employees.

"I just don't feel, personally, that this is right to do at this time," Commissioner Robert Thomas said, beginning the discussion.

Commissioner Robert Ziobrowski said, "I'm not compelled to take any action."

Commission David Keller recognized the similarities of the Nordstrom proposal and the one Proctor and Gamble approached them with last year for a property in Southampton Township, but said that they were not similar enough to make them change their minds.

"The consensus is not to give any other consideration to the Antrim Township LERTA," Keller said.

Later in the meeting, commissioners expanded on their decisions. Thomas said the intent of the LERTA when it was first introduced was redevelopment of properties already there, and that his logic stays with that.

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He also realized this might set a new precedent for how they handle land.

"If you're going to do this for one, you'd have to do it for all of them," Thomas said. He stated that his reasoning is based off his personal beliefs, and that he expects there to be a lot of development in the county without the abatement.

Ziobrowski stated that he did not believe taxpayers would need the abatement, and that he simple saw no reason to make a move on that property.

Keller had concerns with the specifics of the proposal, and how it would affect Antrim Township.

"My concern was the expansiveness, it takes up nearly every commercial property in the township," Keller said, later adding, "The request here is to approve a very broadly defined zone and there's not enough similarities (to the Proctor and Gamble deal) to do so."

Nursing home sale

During the commissioners' meeting, Mary Beth Shank, county solicitor, also went over one of the final versions of the Mid-Atlantic Health Care sales contract expected to be signed as soon as next week Included in the contract were the additions of a transition agreement, that is still being fully fleshed out, and four main staples of required actions to be taken by Mid-Atlantic. Included in that is the easiest transition possible for employees.

"We don't have an exact figure at this point, but we've been working to ensure a smooth transition over there with all employees," Shank said. Also in the agreement is a requirement that the facility stay open for at least 10 years, and that all current residents have the right to remain in the home for as long as they need. They're looking to maintain a Medicaid consensus similar to where it will be when they sign the contract. They also plan to keep the chapel in its current form, with the exception of making improvements to it.